McLean to skipper England

Katy McLean(pictured)will captain England for the first time this season when she leads her country in this weekends womens rugby 6 Nations game against Scotland.

Gary Street has moved regular skipper Catherine Spencer to the bench amid a raft of other changes in a game he will expect his side to win as they search for another Grand Slam.

Other changes see Worcester's Karen Jones, Richmond's Emma Layland and Bristol's Kim Oliver returning to the England squad for the first time this season after impressing against England A.

Fiona Pocock will also make her first start for England at full back after missing England's 22-5 victory over Ireland because of illness. She had to pull out of that game at late notice.

Among the changes a number of players including Michaela Staniford, Claire Allan, Alice Richardson and Heather Fisher are out of the squad completely.

Street, said: This is a really strong side - it's the nucleus of the team that played against New Zealand.

"I'm also pleased to welcome back some players with experience. Karen Jones had one of the stand-out performances against Spain for England A as did Kim Oliver. Kim started the last world cup final and Karen and Emma were both non playing reserves so there's a host of experience there. Amber Penrith also had a great game against Italy so we are bringing in some good players.

England are currently top of the Six Nations table, having conceded just one try against Ireland. Street called it the toughest game they've had in the competition so far but welcomed the challenge ahead of Saturday's Scotland clash.

The Ireland game was massively important," added Street. "We need tough, competitive battles and playing Ireland in the middle of the Six Nations really gave us the chance to make sure we can win, not just with lots of ball in hand and scoring tries, but digging it out with good forwards and good backs defending well. It can only help us in our preparation for the Scotland game, and as a whole ahead of the Women's Rugby World Cup.

Meanwhile Scotland have named an unchanged line-up for the game.

Having registered a win, a defeat and a draw in the championship to date, the tied game with with Italy two weeks ago, was the first time the Scots hadn't lost away from home in the Championship since 2006 and coach Gary Parker has kept faith with his charges.

He said: "Although disappointed not to win against Italy there were still a lot of positives to take out of the game, none more so than gaining our first point on the road since 2006.

"The next challenge couldn't be greater though, as the world's best side, England, arrive looking to maintain their 100% record in the championship. They have set the benchmark for all the teams to aspire to and can be ruthless, as last year's result demonstrated. We know the challenge that England will pose and this game will allow us to further measure the improvements we have made this season."

England team to play Scotland.

Fiona Pocock, Katherine Merchant, Emily Scarratt, Kimberley Oliver, Amber Penrith, Katy McLean, Amy Turner, Claire Purdy, Emma Layland, Sophie Hemming, Rebecca Essex , Joanna McGilchrist, Karen Jones, Jane Leonard,T amara Taylor

Replacements:Amy Garnett, Rochelle Clark, Margaret Alphonsi, Catherine Spencer, LaToya Mason, RachaelBurford, Francesca Matthews Richmond

Scotland team to play England:

Celia Hawthorn, Lynsey Douglas, Lucy Millard, Veronica Fitzpatrick, Victoria Blakebrough, Tanya Griffith, Louise Dalgliesh , Heather Lockhart, Sarah-Louise Walker, Gillian McCord, Louise Moffat,Lindsay Wheeler, Lynne Reid, Susie Brown, Donna Kennedy

Replacements: Sarah Quick, Beth Dickens, Natalya Macholla, Ruth Slaven, Sarah Gill, Laura Steven, Stephanie Johnston